Home Range and Homing Behavior of Plethodon cinereus in Northern Michigan

Abstract

Daily movement, home range and homing activity were determined for 40 P. cinereus tagged with Co60. Daily movement averaged 0.43 m per individual during the active season with the greatest movement coming after periods of rainfall. Home ranges were generally linear, thus polygon and elliptical methods were best suited to calculate home ranges. Home ranges were not significantly different between juveniles, adult males and adult females. Thirty-one displacements up to 30 m from the center of home ranges resulted in an average 90% return rate. Return rates for 90 m displacements averaged 25%. Routes of return were generally direct and occurred within 24 h.